𐰚𐰀𐰞𐰄 𐰖𐰆𐰞𐰀

The poisoning of projectile weapons The concept of poisoning arrows is highly used, particularly within the medieval and fantasy type of video games, yet few people realize that it was, in fact, practiced historically. A notable example of this, one that contributed to a diplomatic crisis, a war, and even deep-seated animosity between two nations, illustrates just how dishonorable and "un-Christian" such a tactic was considered to be. During the English invasion of Normandy between 1417-1419, the terms of surrender for various French strongholds consistently included a specific clause: all Genoese crossbowmen, mercenaries frequently hired by French commanders, were explicitly excluded from the surrender agreements. This stemmed from the fact that the Genoese and the English had already been in an open state of conflict for years, fueled by numerous incidents and Genoese support for France in the English Channel, most notably following the Battle of Marck in 1405. This often-overlooked engagement, which took place in northern France near Calais between Burgundian and English forces, saw the Genoese crossbowmen gain notoriety; they were accused of using "poisoned projectiles," and those who were captured were subsequently executed. This context explains why, for instance, the surrender treaty for the castle of Caen in september 1417 required that Philippe de Gremande, the "captain of the Genoese", be held as a hostage in English hands. Similarly, the terms for the surrender of the town of Falaise contained a provision explicitly stating that foreign mercenaries, namely the Genoese, were to be excluded from the protections granted by the surrender and were instead left entirely "at the mercy" of the King of England Henry V.